Archos launches 3 budget phones with 18:9 (2:1) displays

Slim bezels and 18:9 displays: they’re not just for expensive phones anymore. While the first phones with these ultra-wide (or tall, I guess) screens were high-end handsets with high-res displays, speedy processors, and astronomical price tags, a growing number of phone makers have been taking the trend downmarket in the past few months.

The latest is French mobile device company Archos, which is bringing three new 18:9 smartphones to Mobile World Congress later this month.

The Archos Core 55S, Archos Core 57S, and Archos 60S will be available this spring for 90€, 100€, and 130€, respectively (about $110, $120, and $160).

While the phones borrow some design style form high-end phones, the spec sheets show that beauty may be skin deep.

The cheapest model has a disappointing 5.5 inch, 960 x 490 pixel display, just 1GB of RAM, and 16GB of storage. On the bright side, there’s a headphone jack, and dual SIM or microSD card support.

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I get that these are cheap, but the specs sure make them sound really terrible too.

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11 months ago

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Tacitus

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Typical Archos though. The prices and specs make you look, but the lack of quality leaves you saying “Nah”.

They’ve been doing this for many years already.

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11 months ago

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e1e1

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Wow I didn’t realize Archos was still around.

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11 months ago

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David

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I just don’t get it with manufacturers. They get a chance to make a product where they can sell a couple hundred thousands units, yet they go for the bottom of the bar. Give those units more RAM, vanilla Android and it will sell. Companies do not have to be a top dog to make some buzz. Just think smart paired with a good ad campaign.